Sokcho City Wins Administrative Lawsuit Over 'Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel'... Court Rules Dismantling Order Lawful

Court Dismisses Jugando’s Claims
"Ferris Wheel Permit Cancellation Deemed Justified"
Follow-up Dismantling and Restoration Procedures to Gain Momentum

On January 21, Sokcho City in Gangwon Province announced that on November 19, 2025, the First Administrative Division of the Gangneung Branch of Chuncheon District Court dismissed all claims filed by Jugando Co., Ltd. in the lawsuit (2024GuHap30435) regarding the 'cancellation of the permit for the Sokcho Eye Ferris Wheel development project,' ruling that the city's administrative actions were lawful.

View of Sokcho City Hall.

This ruling is significant in that the court recognized Sokcho City's efforts to rectify legal violations that occurred during the various licensing processes for the Ferris wheel project and to restore a fair and transparent administrative order.

This lawsuit comprehensively assessed the legality and public interest of a total of 11 administrative actions, including: ▲ six cancellation dispositions such as the revocation of the Ferris wheel structure construction report approval, ▲ a corrective order for violation of change of use, ▲ an order to dismantle the Ferris wheel and boarding building and a notice of compulsory execution, and ▲ cancellation of the permit for occupation and use of public waters and an order for restoration to original condition.

The court found that Sokcho City's administrative actions were free of procedural or substantive flaws, and that the measures taken by the city met the procedures prescribed by law while also being reasonable actions by an administrative body to ensure facility safety and protect public values.

In particular, the court determined that Sokcho City's cancellation of permits and orders for facility dismantlement-based on legal and public interest grounds-were unavoidable and lawful procedures. This was due to issues confirmed by the Board of Audit and Inspection and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s special audit, including suspicions of preferential treatment in the selection of the project operator, various licensing violations, the installation of amusement facilities in areas where such facilities are prohibited (such as natural green zones and public waters), and safety concerns in the boarding building due to the omission of reporting high-voltage (22,900 volts) electrical equipment.

Sokcho City plans to proceed without delay with subsequent administrative procedures, including the dismantling of the Ferris wheel and restoration to original condition, in light of this ruling. In addition, the city intends to do its utmost to ensure citizen safety and public interest by comprehensively improving its systems-such as strengthening prior review of permits-to prevent recurrence of similar cases in the development of tourism facilities.

A Sokcho City official stated, "This court ruling clearly confirms that the administrative actions taken by Sokcho City to protect citizens’ lives and safety and uphold public values were lawful and justified," adding, "Going forward, Sokcho City will continue to prioritize procedural transparency, public interest, and citizen safety as its highest values, and will responsibly implement various policy projects, including the development of tourism infrastructure."